Your web browser is outdated and may be insecure

The RCN recommends using an updated browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome

Job evaluation raises pay and reward for nursing support workers in Bristol

Emma Hallam 18 Sep 2023

In 2021 new job profiles were agreed by Staff Council, which includes the RCN and NHS Employers. The new profiles say that Band 2 staff should be undertaking tasks such as feeding, bathing, toileting, recording fluid balance and nutrition while any staff undertaking patient observations and clinical care such as monitoring heart and blood pressure rates, taking bloods, wound observation and urine analysis should be job evaluated to Band 3. This meant that many staff were entitled to a re-band.

Emma Hallam 800x400
At my trust, North Bristol NHS Trust, this issue was raised at Joint Union Committee (JUC) following the national agreement and as the RCN representative I was involved, engaging to support other trade union colleagues and representing our members who were affected.  

While the trust could see they needed to re-band many staff they were concerned about training requirements and other financial implications. We had some great support from HR and the Chief Nurse but despite this we went into dispute when 12 months on, negotiations were ongoing. 

We local trade union representatives were being supported by our full-time officers to ensure that processes were strictly followed. 

We engaged with members locally by producing information to raise awareness and answer questions. 

A significant area we negotiated along with the re-band was compensatory pay for those staff who had been undertaking clinical duties while being paid at band 2 for many years. 

We negotiated compensatory pay of up to £4,000. 

The trust also liaised with neighbouring trusts who recognised the need for them to offer as good a package or due to the trusts' geographic proximity, staff would vote with their feet. 

The benefits of this deal have not only been for those individuals directly affected. The trust has been able to retain health care support workers and has expanded its education offer to them. 

These negotiations were lengthy and at times it felt like we may never get a successful outcome for our members. Thankfully our JUC leads, both of whom have paid time allocated by the trust for them to undertake this role, did most of the day-to-day work, and I covered the JUC secretary role at the beginning of this year as they could see how committed I was to the work. 

I had amazing support from Andrew Christaki, my Senior RCN Officer from the South West region and together we have built fantastic relationships in the trust. 

I am aware, from my work on the RCN Trade Union Committee, that other areas across the NHS have not been able to conclude this issue and many band 2 staff are undertaking roles which should have them paid at band 3. 

Our JUC was strong, committed and worked together to do what was needed for members. 

It’s frustrating that the NHS push these issues to local negotiations to sort out the detail. 

I don’t believe it’s the best way of doing it as it took a very long time for local representatives with local officers to get a resolution. 

There will also be variations to agreements. It doesn’t seem right that staff doing the same work will inevitably have different outcomes. 

The negotiation process felt quite ‘high stakes’ with a good deal riding on our actions for members. 

I was grateful for Andrew’s support; negotiating and knowing when to make an agreement is a definite skill.

That said I’m so proud to have been involved with getting the right outcome for health care support workers across our and the neighbouring trust. 

This work has strengthened relationships with the trust, with other trade unions and across the nursing profession in the trust. 
 
Emma Hallam 145x145

Emma Hallam

RCN safety rep, RCN steward, and RCN UK Trade Union Committee member

Lead RCN representative at North Bristol NHS Trust.

Emma has been an RCN safety rep since 2017, and a steward since 2019, describing herself as 'trade unionist through and through'.
She is now the full-time RCN lead representative at North Bristol NHS Trust, where she has worked since 2011. She is currently supporting the Joint Union Committee Secretary role there. 

Emma registered as a nurse in 1994. She has had a varied clinical background, having worked in acute and critical care settings, as well as in the community, working in continuing care. As a military wife, she has moved and worked across the UK. Her most recent patient-facing role was as a neurology research nurse. However, much of her time supporting clinical trials in 2020 was spent in Covid-19 vaccine and treatments, with her many incredible colleagues in the Research and Development Department. She was redeployed during the pandemic and completed her LLB (Law Bachelor's degree) with the Open University in 2021, alongside her work, rep roles, and bringing up her kids.

In September 2023 she starts a Master's in Employment, Work and Equality at the University of Bristol. 

She loves her profession and campaigning for her colleagues to get the pay, terms and conditions they deserve for the incredible work they do.

Page last updated - 18/02/2024